# Rifondazione Comunista Senate representation in Italy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rifondazione-comunista-senate-representation-in-italy > Updated: 2026-10-23T18:30:52.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Senator Andrea Crisanti left the Democratic Party (PD) to join the Mixed Group in the Italian Senate. This move was intended to assist the Rifondazione Comunista party in meeting new electoral law requirements, specifically by utilizing Senate regulations to potentially benefit from a reduced signature requirement of 1,500 signatures per constituency rather than 6,000. Following this, the Partito della Rifondazione Comunista – Sinistra Europea officially established a component within the Senate. National Secretary Maurizio Acerbo stated that this recognition would reduce the signatures required for the party to present its lists in upcoming elections. Acerbo credited several figures for their assistance, including Crisanti, Furio Honsell, Elly Schlein, and Senate President Ignazio La Russa. Despite achieving Senate recognition, Acerbo criticized the current electoral law as “undemocratic and unconstitutional” regarding the signature thresholds for parties not currently in Parliament. The party has prepared appeals against the law for presentation to Italian courts of appeal. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Rifondazione Comunista forms Senate component in Italy The Rifondazione Comunista has formed a component in the Italian Senate, a move designed to lower the signature threshold required for the party to participate in upcoming national elections. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rifondazione-comunista-forms-senate-component-in-italy ### 2026-10-23: Senator Andrea Crisanti leaves Democratic Party to support Rifondazione Comunista Senator Andrea Crisanti has moved from the Democratic Party to the Senate's Mixed Group to help Rifondazione Comunista meet reduced signature requirements under Italy's new electoral law. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-andrea-crisanti-leaves-democratic-party-to-support-rifondazione-comunista --- Cite as: Rifondazione Comunista Senate representation in Italy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rifondazione-comunista-senate-representation-in-italy