Petrak said his party, led by Tomislav Mercep, supported him in his intention to accelerate the country's economic development in order to catch up with European Union countries, adding that Croatia was 15-20 years behind the EU.
Commenting on striking social differences in Croatia, Petrak said that if elected president he would advocate the introduction of progressive tax rates on a the-higher-the-profit-the-higher-the-tax basis.
The HPS candidate said he and his party were the only ones to propose the introduction of a presidential system, emphasising that Croatia should be led by a president rather than by a prime minister. He added that he would also call for the reintroduction of a bicameral legislature.
Petrak went on to say that he would advocate a strong and professional infantry-based army organised in accordance with NATO standards.
Petrak said he believed that the EU would admit Croatia as a member because of its natural resources and sea. In this context he said he was against the Druzba Adria oil pipeline project because it might endanger the Adriatic Sea ecologically.