[1] In November 2023, the Democratic Party (PD) and the Five Star Movement (M5S) announced Alessandra Todde, former undersecretary at the Ministry for Economic Development during the second Conte government, as joint candidate for the centre-left coalition.

[2] Disappointment regarding the agreement between PD and M5S emerged among potential coalition partners, such Italia Viva and More Europe, who had always been sceptical about cooperation with M5S;[2] dissent also came from within the party, with Renato Soru, former president of Sardinia, criticising the decision to not hold an internal primary to choose the candidate.

[3] These disagreements led Soru to formalize his candidacy as independent less than a week later, immediately obtaining the support of More Europe and Christian Popular Union,[4] and later joined also by Action,[5] the Communist Refoundation Party,[6] a list of PD dissidents,[7] and a coalition of independentist movements.

[10] Coalition talks to reach a deal over a unitary candidacy went on unsuccessfully for a couple of weeks; the sudden news of Solinas being under investigation for corruption decreased significantly his chances of being a feasible candidate.

[14] Interest in running for the presidency was also expressed by Maria Rosaria Randaccio, with the support of the two Eurosceptic and anti-establishment movements Force of the People and Sardinia Free Zone;[15] her bid was rejected by the electoral authority due to failing to gather the necessary signatures to take part in the election.