The founding meeting at the Westin Hotel was attended by 287 founders of the new party, and Kujundzic said that they were just the core of political action. Milan Petrak was appointed Kujundzic's deputy, and three vice-presidents of the party, a 10-member presidency and other party bodies were also appointed.

Croatian Dawn is the 141st political party in Croatia.

In his address, Kujundzic criticised "the political elites that rotate in power" for pushing the country into "a multifold crisis of government", an industrial and financial crisis and a crisis of morality, and for causing the loss of trust in politics and a feeling of hopelessness among people.

"They do not have a vision or ideas, but go back into the past to revive old myths and divisions, undermining the reconciliation conceived and carried out by Franjo Tudjman. By neglecting the economic development and social disintegration, they stifle the spirit and breath of the nation," Kujundzic said.

Kujundzic said that the top priority of his party would be to fight against poverty and emigration of young people and families. He invited all independent candidates from recent European and local elections, non-governmental organisations and trade unions for cooperation.

According to a document that was circulated among those present at the founding meeting, Croatian Dawn will be committed to the principles of popular democracy and will foster the values of the Christian heritage. It will fight against political corruption and encourage a higher birth rate and protection of the family. It is opposed to various partnerships and unions being granted the same status as the family which it says should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.

The new party says it will pursue dialogue with other political parties and civil society organisations with a view to achieving a national consensus on all important political and social issues.