Bernard Cazeneuve, a former socialist Prime Minister, has criticized the current political climate within the Socialist Party (PS) and the media outlet Place publique, calling it a "climate of settling scores." He described the upcoming primary election for the PS as "deadly" and expressed disappointment at the "circus" unfolding, noting the large number of candidates already vying for the 2027 presidential election. Cazeneuve believes the PS primary is fostering division rather than unity among its members. He has chosen not to participate in what he views as a decline in political standards, keeping himself "outside of all this" four years after leaving the Socialist Party, which had previously formed an alliance with La France insoumise, a left-wing political movement. When asked about his own potential candidacy for the 2027 election, Cazeneuve said that if running could bring together a wide range of French citizens to prevent the worst outcomes, it would be a duty to declare candidacy. While he hasn’t officially announced his own run, he hasn’t ruled out seeking endorsements. He emphasized the need to avoid adding to the confusion and described his approach as "sincere." Cazeneuve argued that a "broad gathering" is essential to counter the influence of two strong political movements he called "degageism," referring to La France insoumise and the far-right Rassemblement national. Cazeneuve invoked the "spirit of responsibility" as the government prepares to submit its 2027 budget proposal by the end of September. He stressed that France cannot afford to be without a budget, even if it means avoiding a vote of no confidence (censure) against the government. Cazeneuve criticized those, including Olivier Faure, the current head of the PS, who are threatening to censure the budget, calling their actions "irresponsible." He urged them not to risk plunging the country into chaos by undermining the budget process. In his remarks, Cazeneuve sought to highlight the importance of stability and responsible governance, especially during a time of political uncertainty and division. His comments reflect concerns about the potential consequences of political brinkmanship, particularly as France approaches key economic and political decisions in the coming years.