"We advocate dividing Croatia into historical and not statistical regions," Delbianco told the press in Pula, saying the IDF wanted Istria to be an independent region and for its citizens to decide on the county's future through the County Assembly.
Delbianco added the Autonomous Region Istria project also envisaged making Pula once again the centre of regional authority.
He said that although many claimed decentralisation would weaken Croatia, the transfer of money and authority onto regions, cities and municipalities would move Croatia forward.
Delbianco said the existing strictly centralised administration was not good for Croatia because only those close to the government came to the fore.
He added that 50 per cent of the IDF slate for the May local elections was comprised of independent candidates.