Impeachment - what is it? Examples from the history of different countries of the world

In the political sections of news releases, sometimesthe term "impeachment" is used. What it is? This concept means the removal from power of the head of state at the will of parliament and society. In the modern world, this phenomenon occurs quite rarely.

Etymology

In many languages ​​the Englishthe term "impeachment". What is it literally? It comes from the verb impedicare (interfere, hinder), has a Latin root. Sometimes the word "impeachment" is mistakenly associated with the Latin impetere (attack, attack). Verbs derived from this root exist in English and French.

This term has a wide meaning andis used not only in the political sphere. For example, the expression "impeachment of a witness" describes the situation in the legal practice, which calls into question the reliability of the evidence in the court of evidence.

General concept

Impeachment refers to the process of nominationaccusations against high-ranking officials, as a rule, are immune from prosecution. This is a formal procedure, not implying an immediate removal of a statesman from performing duties. Political or legal consequences may not occur for an official who has been impeached. What is this in comparison with the standard process of criminal prosecution? Justice is always based on a simple principle: the suspect is punished only if the allegations are proven. Impeachment is the first step in bringing to justice an official who has violated official laws or unwritten moral norms.

History of occurrence

For the first time such a procedure was applied inBritish political system. In the second half of the 14th century, the English parliament accused Baron Latimer of corruption and deprived him of all posts in the government. This was the first documented case of a decision by the country's legislature to impose impeachment on an important state dignitary.

Consolidation in the US Constitution

Following the British example, manyNorth American states have created a mechanism for making accusations against abusive high-ranking officials. At the end of the 18th century, this procedure was included in the constitution of Virginia and Massachusetts. Impeachment in the United States was limited only to suspension from execution of state duties and did not concern the issue of criminal liability. At present, the first chapter of the American Constitution provides for a procedure for removing presidents, ministers and federal judges from power. The reason, sufficient for impeachment, is treason, corruption or other serious criminal acts and misdemeanors. The latter definition is not clear and can be interpreted in different ways depending on the political situation.

Theory and Reality

Legislation of most countries of the worldprovides for impeachment. What is this in terms of practical application? It must be recognized that in some political systems, the procedure for abdication of power exists only on paper. The absence of an independent parliament makes impeachment impossible. The newest history knows few cases of successful application of this procedure in practice to the heads of state.

Examples

In 1992, Fernando Coloer de Mello was accused ofcorruption and by decision of the parliament was removed from the post of President of Brazil. He was not subjected to criminal prosecution, but for many years lost the opportunity to engage in political activities.

In 2000, Peru voted in favor ofthe removal from power of President Alberto Fujimori. The head of state was accused of organizing the so-called "death squads" (armed detachments intended for extrajudicial executions). Fujimori lost power and is currently serving almost life imprisonment.

The only head of the Europeanthe state, who left his post as a result of impeachment, became the President of Lithuania Rolandas Paksas. In 2004, the politician was accused of having links with representatives of mafia structures. The Saeima of the republic ahead of schedule released him from the duties of the head of state. However, this did not stop Rolandas Paksas from continuing his political career and even becoming a member of the European Parliament.

One recent example of impeachmentis the scandal associated with South Korean President Pak Kun Hye. In 2016, the parliament and the constitutional court decided to suspend its powers due to allegations of corruption and the use of shamans and fortune-tellers as advisers on governance issues. After Pak Kun Hye lost her immunity from prosecution, she was arrested at the request of the South Korean prosecutor's office.