Speaking at a joint news conference in Zagreb, HSS leader Josip Friscic and HSLS leader Djurdja Adlesic said that decentralisation was a precondition for the even development of the country.
Friscic said that the process of decentralisation was only declarative and partial and that it was not supported by the financial strengthening of regional and local government bodies.
Adlesic said that the government had made the first step, albeit a small one, by adopting a decision on the direct election of mayors, municipal heads and county prefects.
"The joint program of our two parties for the upcoming elections is a program of decentralisation of local government bodies," Adlesic said.
Friscic also said at the news conference that he did not believe that Croatia would be ready for EU membership by 2009.