Edouard Philippe, the former Prime Minister of France and current president of the Normandy region, stated on Tuesday that he is against changing the Constitution to allow referendums on topics like immigration or to question the decisions of the Constitutional Council. This position comes in response to proposals made by Bruno Retailleau, a candidate from the Liberal Republicans (LR) party, who is advocating for such constitutional amendments. Philippe emphasized that the current system, which limits referendums to specific issues like constitutional reforms and certain national matters, ensures stability and prevents the risk of direct democracy being used to override established legal frameworks. He argued that expanding the use of referendums could lead to unpredictable outcomes and weaken the role of elected officials and judicial bodies. Bruno Retailleau, on the other hand, believes that giving citizens more direct power through referendums on key issues such as immigration would better reflect the will of the people and increase democratic participation. His proposal has sparked a broader debate about the balance between representative democracy and direct citizen involvement in decision-making. The discussion highlights a growing divide in French politics over how much power should be granted to the public through direct voting mechanisms. While some see referendums as a way to strengthen democracy, others warn of the potential for instability and the erosion of institutional authority. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether any constitutional changes will be pursued in the near future.