History of Impeachment in Timeline
Impeachment is a formal process where a legislative body brings charges of misconduct against a public official. It is a unique process as it intertwines both political and legal considerations. It is initiated by a legislative body or legally constituted tribunal.
1910: Establishment of the Union of South Africa
In 1910, when the Union of South Africa was established, only the chief justice and judges of the Supreme Court of South Africa could be impeached.
1927: Last impeachment case used
In 1927 Norway, the impeachment has been used for the last time.
1948: Establishment of the Republic of Korea
In 1948, the Republic of Korea was established, marking the beginning of the nation's history with future impeachments.
1948: Abolition of Peers' Privilege
In 1948, the privilege of peers to trial only in the House of Lords was abolished in the United Kingdom, impacting impeachment procedures.
April 1950: The Law of Impeachment
On April 10, 1950, Brazil's Law no. 1.079, "The Law of Impeachment", was enacted, specifying that crimes defined within it, even if only attempted, are subject to the penalty of loss of office.
1961: South Africa becomes a republic
In 1961, when the country became a republic, the scope was broadened to include the state president.
1972: Constructive votes of no confidence against the chancellor
In 1972, there was constructive vote of no confidence against the chancellor, that was not successful.
1974: Richard Nixon Resignation
In 1974, Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency to avoid an impeachment vote.
1976: Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh resigned
In 1976, after being criticised by a minister, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh resigned "to protect the dignity and independence of the presidency as an institution", although there was no question of impeachment.
1978: Presidential removals in Latin America
Between 1978 and 2019, ten presidents from seven countries in Latin America were removed from office by their national legislatures via impeachments or declarations of incapacity.
1981: Inclusion of vice state president in impeachment
In 1981, the scope of impeachment was further broadened to include the new office of vice state president.
1982: Constructive votes of no confidence against the chancellor
In 1982, there was constructive vote of no confidence against the chancellor, that was successful.
September 1987: Applications for family reunification of Tamil refugees put on hold
From September 1987 to January 1989 applications for family reunification of Tamil refugees from civil war-torn Sri Lanka were put on hold in violation of Danish and International law.
January 1989: Applications for family reunification of Tamil refugees put on hold
From September 1987 to January 1989 applications for family reunification of Tamil refugees from civil war-torn Sri Lanka were put on hold in violation of Danish and International law.
1990: Impeachment charges against heads of state
From 1990 to 2020, at least 272 impeachment charges were filed against 132 different heads of state in 63 countries.
1991: Attempt to initiate impeachment against Francesco Cossiga
In 1991, some members of parliamentary opposition attempted to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Francesco Cossiga.
1992: Collor de Mello resigns amidst impeachment proceedings
In 1992, Fernando Collor de Mello, the 32nd President of Brazil, resigned amidst impeachment proceedings but was still convicted by the Senate and barred from holding office for eight years.
1992: Senate publishes impeachment process
In 1992, the Brazilian Senate published the step-by-step procedure of the Senate's impeachment process in the Official Diary of the Union.
1993: Russian constitutional crisis
In 1993, the Russian constitutional crisis caused President Boris Yeltsin to face impeachment charges.
1994: Expanded impeachment scope in South Africa
In 1994, the scope of impeachment was expanded to include the executive deputy presidents, the public protector, and the Auditor-General.
June 1995: Erik Ninn-Hansen found guilty of violating the Danish Ministerial Responsibility Act
On June 22, 1995, Erik Ninn-Hansen was found guilty of violating the Danish Ministerial Responsibility Act, receiving a suspended sentence of four months with one year of probation.
1995: First Chechen War
In 1995, the start of the First Chechen War caused President Boris Yeltsin to face impeachment charges.
1997: Inclusion of members of certain commissions in impeachment
Since 1997, members of certain commissions established by the Constitution can also be impeached.
1998: Bill Clinton Impeachment Trial
In 1998, President Bill Clinton faced an impeachment trial in the Senate, ultimately resulting in his acquittal.
May 1999: Complaint to the European Court of Human Rights dismissed
On May 18, 1999, The European Court of Human Rights dismissed the complaint on that the Court of Impeachment was not impartial.
1999: Attempt to impeach Boris Yeltsin fails
In 1999, an attempt led by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation to impeach President Boris Yeltsin failed.
April 2004: Rolandas Paksas removed from office by impeachment
On April 6, 2004, President Rolandas Paksas was removed from office by impeachment after being found guilty of violating his oath and the constitution.
2004: Roh Moo-hyun Impeachment
In 2004, Roh Moo-hyun was impeached by the National Assembly, although this impeachment was later overturned by the Constitutional Court.
May 2007: President Traian Băsescu impeached
In May 2007, President Traian Băsescu was impeached by the Parliament. A referendum was held on 19 May 2007 and a large majority of the electorate voted against removing the president from office.
2008: Governors Impeached
From 1789 through 2008, 14 governors have been impeached.
July 2012: President Traian Băsescu impeached
In July 2012, President Traian Băsescu was impeached by the Parliament. A referendum was held on 29 July 2012; the results were heavily against the president, but the referendum was invalidated due to low turnout.
2013: Senate sought to impeach President Klaus
In 2013, members of the Senate sought to impeach President Václav Klaus, however, this case was dismissed by the court.
2013: Constitutional Changes Regarding Impeachment
In 2013, the constitution was changed defining the conditions in which the President can be impeached for high treason or any serious infringement of the Constitution.
2014: Attempt to initiate impeachment against Giorgio Napolitano
In 2014, some members of parliamentary opposition attempted to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Giorgio Napolitano.
February 2016: Inger Støjberg decided on accommodation scheme without exceptions
On February 10, 2016 Inger Støjberg decided that an accommodation scheme should apply without the possibility of exceptions, so that all asylum-seeking spouses and cohabiting couples where one was a minor aged 15–17, had to be separated and accommodated separately in separate asylum centers.
May 2016: Senate approves admissibility of impeachment accusation against Rousseff
On May 12, 2016, the Brazilian Senate approved the admissibility of the impeachment accusation against President Dilma Rousseff, leading to her suspension and the assumption of duties by Vice President Michel Temer.
2016: Park Geun-hye Impeached
In 2016, Park Geun-hye was impeached by the National Assembly, leading to a Constitutional Court confirmation.
2016: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski became President of Peru
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski became the incumbent President of Peru since 2016
March 2017: Park Geun-hye Impeachment Confirmation
In March 2017, the impeachment of Park Geun-hye by the National Assembly was confirmed by the Constitutional Court.
December 2017: Impeachment process against Pedro Pablo Kuczynski initiated
On December 15, 2017, the Congress of Peru initiated the first impeachment process against President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, but the request was rejected on December 21, 2017.
2018: Attempt to initiate impeachment against Sergio Mattarella
In 2018, some members of parliamentary opposition attempted to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Sergio Mattarella.
2019: Presidential removals in Latin America
Between 1978 and 2019, ten presidents from seven countries in Latin America were removed from office by their national legislatures via impeachments or declarations of incapacity.
2019: Donald Trump's First Impeachment Trial
In 2019, Donald Trump faced his first impeachment trial in the Senate, which resulted in his acquittal.
2019: Senate proposed to impeach president Zeman
In 2019, the Senate proposed to impeach president Miloš Zeman but the Chamber of Deputies did not vote on the issue in time.
2020: Impeachment charges against heads of state
From 1990 to 2020, at least 272 impeachment charges were filed against 132 different heads of state in 63 countries.
February 2021: Judge Lim Seong-geun Impeached
In February 2021, Judge Lim Seong-geun of the Busan High Court was impeached by the National Assembly for meddling in politically sensitive trials, marking the first impeachment of a judge in Korean history.
February 2021: Impeachment case initiated against Inger Støjberg
In February 2021, an impeachment case was initiated against the former Minister for Immigration and Integration Inger Støjberg, a decision adopted by the Danish Parliament with a 141–30 vote.
December 2021: Inger Støjberg convicted by the Court of Impeachment
On December 13, 2021, former Minister Inger Støjberg was convicted by the special Court of Impeachment of illegally separating asylum seeker families and sentenced to 60 days in prison.
2021: Donald Trump's Second Impeachment Trial
In 2021, Donald Trump faced his second impeachment trial in the Senate, which also resulted in his acquittal.
January 2024: No impeachment of a president has ever taken place
As of January 2024 no impeachment of a president has ever taken place.
December 2024: Yoon Suk Yeol Impeachment
On December 2024, Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Assembly following his declaration of martial law.
