 On 28 September, Hélène Luc announced that the group would be renamed to the Communist, Republican and Citizen group ("groupe communiste, républicain et citoyen"), abbreviated CRC, presenting it as an "opening to the people of progress"; specifically, it allowed Paul Loridant, member of the Movement of Citizens of Jean-Pierre Chevènement, to join the group.Luc's stint as president of the group ended on 3 April 2001; she was succeeded by Nicole Borvo.On 26 November 2008, Jean-Luc Mélenchon and François Autain, who left the Socialist Party (PS) to found the Left Party, joined the group, which was then renamed to the Communist, Republican, Citizen and Senators of the Left Party group ("groupe communiste, républicain, citoyen et des sénateurs du Parti de gauche"), abbreviated CRC–SPG.