CIS President Defends Agency's Independence Amid Criticism

José Félix Tezanos, the president of the Sociological Research Center (CIS), strongly refuted allegations of government influence during a recent Senate appearance. Tezanos emphasized his and the agency's independence, stating, "I am absolutely independent." His remarks came in response to claims from critics in the political arena, which he described as more political than scientific in nature. Addressing the Senate investigation commission, Tezanos contended that critiques of CIS work have been overstated. He defended the agency's methodologies, claiming it has accurately reflected electoral outcomes in Spain's recent general elections. "We are not biased," he asserted in reply to questions from Senator Paloma Gómez of the Vox party. He highlighted that the CIS has engaged in rigorous scientific polling. Tezanos elaborated on changes to CIS's estimation methods, specifically referring to the Alaminos-Tezanos method implemented in response to shifting voter behaviors. He noted a significant transformation in how voters identify with political parties. Previously, party loyalty remained relatively stable, but current trends suggest many voters are increasingly undecided as elections approach. Tezanos explained, "Now it is not known who will vote for whom," highlighting a notable uptick in last-minute voting decisions. These complexities necessitated the adaptation of CIS's systems, integrating a variety of factors that influence voter decisions. Tezanos underlined that while there is a tendency for voters to stick with their party, approximately half of the electorate is undecided. The CIS president also addressed concerns about the agency's budget, which has increased due to new contracts for pollsters. He pointed out, "Pollsters now have fixed work, paid vacations, and social insurance," a significant improvement from previous conditions where many operated without contracts. Tezanos criticized the prior state of affairs as unacceptable for a modern and civilized nation, stating, "Slavery is very cheap, and the previous system was unworthy of a serious country." In summary, Tezanos staunchly defended the independence and integrity of the CIS, highlighting improvements made under his leadership to ensure ethical working conditions and accurate representation of public opinion. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2