In recent years, Croatia has experienced growth, but this advancement lacks a clear direction, primarily driven by sectors like tourism and real estate without a strategic framework. The Croatian Democratic Party (SDP) identifies this disconnect between growth and development as a central challenge, which they believe forms the basis of their political response. The need for a paradigm shift in developmental strategies appears urgent, asking what Croatia aspires to become in the next decade or two.

Through its new Program Declaration, the SDP aims to introduce an integrated developmental model that combines industrial policies, labor market strategies, and tax reforms. This approach signals a departure from the current ad hoc methods that have characterized the country's economic management. The SDP asserts that Croatia must transition from improvisation to a state of effective governance capable of managing comprehensive development, stressing that it's not the size of the government that hinders progress, but its perceived weakness and inefficiency.

In public discussions, a misleading dichotomy often emerges between 'too much state' and 'free market,' but the SDP proposes a different perspective. They argue that the core issue facing Croatia isn’t excessive state involvement, but rather the shortcomings in governance that prevent effective collaboration between various sectors. By addressing these governance weaknesses, the SDP aspires to lay the groundwork for a sustainable development model that can ensure long-term prosperity and resilience in the face of emerging challenges like global economic shifts.