The historic impeachment process (read here for what it is exactly) against Donald Trump began in the Capitol in Washington - but when the vote will actually take place in the House of Representatives dominated by the US Democrats is unclear.
Because immediately after the start of the meeting, Trumps Republicans began with several requests to prolong the process.
First, MEP Andy Biggs asked that the meeting be stopped immediately and voted on. Another resolution dealt with Republican allegations against the House Democratic Committee chairman who had led the investigation into Trump. Republican requests are a delay tactic. Because of the majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives, they have no chance.
The debate on the procedure did not begin until a good hour after the plenary meeting. After that, a six-hour debate is planned on the two charges in the Ukraine affair that involve abuse of power and interference with Congress investigations. Through formal steps, such as further requests from the Republicans, this debate could drag on and thus extend into the late Thursday night after German time.
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At the end of the meeting, a vote on the formal opening of impeachment is scheduled. Trump is only the third president in US history to face such a vote. Since the House of Representatives is dominated by the Democrats, a majority are considered certain to open the procedure. The actual process will only take place in the second chamber of the Congress - the US Senate.
The Senate then takes on the role of a court. Trumps Republicans have the majority in this chamber. Trump's impeachment would require a two-thirds majority of 67 votes. This would require at least 20 Republicans to side with the Democrats, which is highly unlikely. Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News: "There is no chance the president will be removed from office."
