The resignation of Juan Manuel Rodriguez de Poo, who led the National Institute of Statistics, occurred this Monday amid tensions with the Government over GDP and CPI calculations. The move drew sharp criticism from officials and the political opposition who argued it threatened the independence of Spain’s public statistics institution under the Ministry of Economy.
Rodriguez de Poo denies any pressure from the department led by Vice President Nadia Calviño to compel his departure. He has maintained that he was prepared to step down for some time, and the Government has proposed continuing cooperation with the Economy as a consultant or in a similar capacity while a successor is identified. The Government expects to finalize the appointment in the coming weeks, with assurances that a range of qualified profiles will be considered.
Association of Statisticians
The Association of Senior State Statisticians, known as Aese, notes that the Public Statistics Function Law has protected the tenure of INE presidents for over 30 years. It asserts that no INE head has ever been dismissed or asked to resign during a change of government. Aese, a member of the Federation of Associations of High Bodies of the State General Administration, adds that what is happening now—statistical figures from the Government, specifically the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, appearing on par with CPI or GDP metrics—represents an unusual development. Aese also mentions that an unofficial indicator called the Daily Activity Indicator has been discussed as a potential benchmark against the GDP, though it is not part of the National Statistical Plan.
There is concern within the statistics community that the ongoing situation could be read as a challenge to the independence of the INE, given the publication of figures that diverge from the Government’s economic forecasts. In such a context, the credibility of Spain’s official statistics remains essential for its partners in the European Union and for users at large.
INE president resigns
As rumors swirled about Rodriguez de Poo’s departure, the announcement that the resignation was for personal reasons came as the public face of the INE faced renewed scrutiny. The professional association warned that removing the INE head could be interpreted as an assault on the institute’s independence, especially when the published statistics differ from government projections. The values generated by INE play a critical role in informing both national and international audiences, including EU partners and end users who rely on these metrics for policy and decision making.
Unity CSIF called on the Government to provide explanations for the resignation that was announced Monday night. It expressed concern about the conditions surrounding Rodriguez de Poo’s departure, noted that the INE staff deserve a stable and reliable image, and argued that the Government’s perceived lack of objectivity affects the public statistics system. The association emphasized the importance of impartiality and transparency in data collection and insisted on complete independence from any governmental interference.
Feijóo’s view
The opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo described the situation as a mistake and bad for Spain’s credibility. He argued that the departure of the INE director could undermine trust in the country’s statistical methods and the integrity of official data, particularly regarding the assessment of economic growth and inflation. Feijóo warned that the dismissal, if driven by disagreements with official statistics, would cast a shadow on Spain’s reputation both at home and abroad.
The People’s Group announced plans to ask Vice-President Nadia Calviño to appear before the Congress of Deputies to address questions regarding the resignation and its implications for public data governance.
Independence
At the same forum, Antonio Garamendi, president of the CEOs, stressed that while he would not delve into the reasons behind the resignation, the independence of the INE must be defended. He called the institution highly prestigious and essential for objective analysis and public trust. Garamendi noted that the business community supports the government, while recognizing the need for the INE to remain free from political interference. He highlighted cooperation with major institutions such as the Bank of Spain, its governor Pablo Hernández de Cos, AIReF and its president Cristina Herrero Sánchez, calling for continued respect for the INE’s autonomy while ensuring robust collaboration across the economy.