MADRID, SPAIN.- Carmen Calvo, the Spanish Minister of Culture, rectified her criticism towards the excess in the expenses for the Prado museum expansion. This past Wednesday, Carmen Calvo had stated that the Moneo building had gone from a 42 million euro budget to 61.5 million euros. The Casón went from a budget of 9 million euros to 30 million. That same day, the Partido Popular accused her of doubting the expansion project.

Beatriz Rodríguez-Salmones, from the PP, stated, “Carmen Calvo has talked in a scandalous manner of diverting the budget of the expansion project which casts a doubt on the management and the architect, Rafael Moneo.”

Carmen Calvo denied on Friday that there were irregularities with the expansion project. She said it was normal for the budgets to increase. She said, The cost has gone up and will continue until the end, as it has taken that direction.”