Impeachment

Impeachment is a special process used to charge a public official who has done something very wrong while in office. It is mainly used for important leaders like ministers or heads of state, because their special roles sometimes make it hard to punish them using normal laws. This process can be used for both leaders and regular people who hold public positions.

From 1990 to 2020, at least 272 impeachment charges were brought against 132 different heads of state in 63 countries. In Latin America, ten presidents from seven countries were removed from office by their legislatures through impeachment or similar actions between 1978 and 2019.

Most democracies involve courts, often a national constitutional court, in the impeachment process. The goal is usually to quickly remove the official from office. An official is often considered impeached once the charges begin, and a trial is needed to finally remove them. Impeachment is different from a motion of no confidence, which some countries use to remove a government. Impeachment usually needs a supermajority and is reserved for very serious abuses of power. In the United States, impeachment can only happen for Treason, Bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors, and it is handled by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Etymology and history

The word "impeachment" comes from old words in Old French and Latin. It means to catch or trap someone.

A long time ago, in England, this idea was first used against a man named William Latimer, 4th Baron Latimer in the 1300s. Later, some American states like Virginia and Massachusetts started using similar rules, but they only allowed removing an official from their job, not other punishments.

In parts of West Africa, leaders of the Ashanti Empire had special rules too. If a ruler broke important promises, special leaders would remove that ruler from power.

In Korea, a group called Sahundae was set up in 983 AD to watch over and remove officials if needed.

In various jurisdictions

Brazil

In Brazil, "impeachment" means being definitely removed from office. The president of Brazil can be temporarily removed by the Chamber of Deputies and then tried and fully removed by the Federal Senate. The Brazilian Constitution requires that two-thirds of the Deputies vote to start the impeachment process and that two-thirds of the senators vote to remove the president. State governors and mayors can also be impeached by their legislative bodies.

Croatia

The president of Croatia can be impeached by a two-thirds majority vote in the Sabor (parliament), which is then sent to the Constitutional Court. If the court agrees, the president is removed, and an election is held within 60 days. During this time, the speaker of parliament acts as president.

Czech Republic

Since 2013, the Czech president can be impeached by at least three-fifths of present senators and approved by three-fifths of all members of the Chamber of Deputies. The case goes to the Constitutional Court, which decides the verdict. If found guilty, the president is removed and cannot be elected again.

Denmark

Denmark has a special Court of Impeachment for current and former ministers accused of unlawful conduct in office. The Danish Parliament debates and votes on impeachment. If approved, the court, made up of Supreme Court judges and parliament members, decides the case.

France

In France, the president can be impeached by Parliament for violating the Constitution or national laws. The process starts in either the National Assembly or the Senate and requires a two-thirds majority in both houses to proceed to the High Court for a decision.

Germany

The German federal president can be impeached by the Bundestag or Bundesrat for violating federal law. The Federal Constitutional Court decides whether to remove the president from office.

Hong Kong

The chief executive of Hong Kong can be investigated by the Legislative Council for serious breaches of law or duty. If sufficient evidence is found, the council can pass a motion of impeachment, but the final decision rests with the Central People's Government of China.

Hungary

The president of Hungary can be impeached by Parliament if they violate the constitution or commit a criminal offense. If two-thirds of Parliament agree, the president is impeached, and the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove them from office.

India

India’s Constitution allows Parliament to impeach the president if they believe the president has violated the Constitution. No president has ever faced impeachment.

Ireland

The president of Ireland can be impeached by Parliament for "stated misbehaviour." The process requires a significant majority in both houses of Parliament and an investigation by another body. The president is removed only if two-thirds of the investigating house agree.

Italy

The president of Italy can be impeached by Parliament in joint session for high treason or attempting to overthrow the Constitution. The case is then tried by the Constitutional Court with additional citizens involved.

Japan

In Japan, judges can be impeached by the National Diet through special organs set up for this purpose.

Liechtenstein

Members of the Liechtenstein Government can be impeached before the State Court for breaking the Constitution or laws. The Sovereign Prince cannot be impeached.

Lithuania

The president of Lithuania can be impeached by a three-fifths majority in the Seimas (parliament). President Rolandas Paksas was removed in 2004 after being found guilty of violating the constitution.

Norway

Members of the government, representatives of the Storting (parliament), and Supreme Court judges can be impeached for criminal offenses related to their duties. Impeachment has been used eight times since 1814.

Peru

Peru has seen several impeachment processes, including the failed impeachment of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in 2017 and the successful impeachments of Martín Vizcarra, Pedro Castillo, and Dina Boluarte between 2020 and 2025.

Philippines

In the Philippines, impeachment follows procedures similar to the United States. The House of Representatives initiates cases, and the Senate tries and decides them. Only one-third of House members are needed to approve the motion, and two-thirds of the Senate must agree to convict.

Poland

Poland uses referral to the State Tribunal instead of impeachment for similar allegations against high office holders.

Romania

The Romanian president can be impeached by Parliament and suspended, followed by a referendum to decide removal. President Traian Băsescu was impeached twice, in 2007 and 2012.

Russia

In 1999, efforts to impeach President Boris Yeltsin failed. No successful impeachments have occurred since.

Singapore

Singapore’s Constitution allows the impeachment of a sitting president for treason, constitutional violations, corruption, or misleading the Presidential Elections Committee. The process involves a parliamentary motion and a tribunal appointed by the chief justice.

South Africa

South Africa has broad grounds and procedures for impeachment, which have evolved over time to include various officials.

South Korea

In South Korea, the president and other high officials can be impeached by the National Assembly for violating the Constitution or statutory duties. The Constitutional Court reviews the impeachment. Presidents Roh Moo-hyun, Park Geun-hye, and Yoon Suk Yeol have faced impeachment, with Park and Yoon being removed from office.

Turkey

In Turkey, the Grand National Assembly can investigate and impeach the president, vice president, or cabinet members. A two-thirds majority is needed to try them before the Constitutional Court.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, impeachment is considered obsolete. The last impeachment was in 1806, and modern oversight uses select committees, confidence motions, and judicial review instead.

United States

In the United States, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach, and the Senate tries impeachments. The president, vice president, and civil officers can be impeached for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Impeachment is the first stage, followed by a Senate trial. As of 2025, the House has impeached officials 22 times, but only eight were removed by the Senate—all federal judges. Presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump were impeached but acquitted. Richard Nixon resigned before impeachment.

Other

Armenia

Armenia uses a vote of non-confidence to remove the prime minister, which is sometimes called "impeachment" even though the term isn’t used in the constitution.