In a written response to the Popular Party, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo has publicly distanced himself from the critical remarks made by his predecessor, Nadia Calviño, in her memoirs concerning the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Cuerpo emphasized the respect that the Ministry of Economy has for the work and methodology of the INE and Eurostat, highlighting the independence of these institutions which allowed them to carry out their official statistical work effectively during the perturbing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. His affirmation seeks to reinforce the credibility of the INE at a time when its methodologies have come under scrutiny.

The criticisms voiced by Calviño in her book _Dos mil días en el Gobierno_ challenge the adequacy of the INE's estimations, particularly regarding its calculations during the pandemic era. She specifically points to issues with how the GDP was estimated, suggesting that there were flaws in the methodology that may have affected the accuracy of economic indicators at a critical time. This public dispute reflects broader tensions related to economic data reliability in Spain during a period marked by unprecedented economic challenges and responses to the pandemic.

By reasserting the integrity of the INE's work, Cuerpo aims to mitigate the fallout from Calviño's allegations while also asserting the significance of statistical independence in public policy. His comments could serve to unify the government’s position regarding economic data production, particularly as skepticism grows about the accuracy of governmental economic statistics post-COVID. Cuerpo's statement indicates a desire to maintain public confidence in Spain's data institutions, which are crucial for informed economic decisions and policy-making.