Chile Senate rejects removing president in impeachment trial
ABC News
The Chilean Senate has rejected an opposition-initiated impeachment process to remove President Sebastián Piñera over allegations that he favored the sale of a family property that hinged on the government not declaring the land a nature reserve
SANTIAGO, Chile -- The Chilean Senate late Tuesday rejected an opposition-initiated impeachment process to remove President Sebastián Piñera over allegations that he favored the sale of a family property that hinged on the government not declaring the land a nature reserve.
The lower house approved the impeachment charges, setting up a trial in the 43-member Senate, where senators voted 24 in favor of removal, 18 against and one abstention. The total in favor was five votes short of the two-thirds support of 29 senators needed to oust the president.
On a second charge accusing Piñera of compromising the nation's honor, the vote was 22 in favor of removal, 20 against and one abstaining.
The vote came less than a week before the first round of Chile's election to choose a successor for Piñera, whose term ends March 11. Chile does not allow presidential reelection to consecutive terms.
