On 16 September 2026, during the validation of candidacies for the primary organised by the PS and Place publique, the national bureau of the Socialist Party decided to exclude Philippe Brun, who had nevertheless secured the necessary sponsorships. Five candidates were retained: Olivier Faure, Raphaël Glucksmann, Ségolène Royal, Jérôme Guedj and Emmanuel Maurel. The suspension of the deputy, also from the Socialists and affiliated group in the National Assembly, is based on accusations made by a militant and former parliamentary assistant dismissed for serious misconduct in June. According to the PS leadership, relayed by AFP and multiple media outlets, the alleged facts concern harassment, physical violence and the employment of a family member, which is prohibited for deputies. The militant had contacted the party’s internal commissions (against harassment and conflicts) as early as July, but the leadership was only informed of the details on the evening of 15 September. The PS justifies its decision by the need to defend women’s rights and exemplarity, without substituting itself for the justice system according to its statements. Philippe Brun, 34, vice-president of the finance committee, reacted the same evening during a press conference at the Assembly. He claims to be unaware of the precise facts alleged against him, never to have been the partner of the complainant (who is in a civil partnership with someone else), and denounces a late and non-contradictory report that prevents him from participating in the primary. He says he is a victim of harassment and blackmail by the former assistant, announces he will file a complaint for false accusation and provides evidence he says supports these facts. No prosecutor’s office (Paris or Évreux) has recorded a criminal complaint against him at this stage, and the complainant has not publicly confirmed having filed a complaint, although some sources mention a possible referral to the Assembly’s ethics officer. Press sources (Le Monde, franceinfo, Les Echos, Le Figaro, L’Obs, RTL) converge on the sequence of events and the statements of both parties, without access to the concrete elements of the accusations. Contradictions persist regarding the exact nature of the professional and personal relationship, as well as the timing and internal handling. The affair, very recent, embarrasses the PS at the launch of its primary and revives the debate on the handling of internal reports versus the presumption of innocence. At this stage, the alleged facts remain accusations not judicially established, and the party’s internal procedure takes precedence over a public adversarial investigation. The situation remains fluid, with a complaint announced by Brun and possible judicial follow-up to be monitored.