Impeachment as Constitutional Liability: Lithuanian Experience

Abstract

Impeachment is a specific form of constitutional liability, including the removal of the highest state officials from constitutional duties. This constitutional institution, having originated centuries ago, remains relevant today and raises many questions regarding its legal or political origin. The constitutions of many states consolidate certain elements of impeachment; however, the chosen impeachment models can differ and could be closer to the political or legal constitutional framework that determines the role of the (constitutional) courts. The Lithuanian impeachment model consolidates cooperation between the Parliament and the Constitutional Court in deciding impeachment issues. The period from 2004 to 2017 witnessed the adoption by the Lithuanian Constitutional Court of highly important acts in which the issue of constitutional liability was considerably elaborated. The entry is intended to examine the constitutional doctrine and relevant case law of the Lithuanian Constitutional Court.