Argentine president defends commerce secretary

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Argentine President Cristina Fernandez on Saturday defended her domestic commerce secretary, who is widely accused of undermining inflation data, at a news conference in her presidential residence.

Political opponents have called for Guillermo Moreno to be replaced to restore the credibility of statistics agency INDEC.

"Why are officials always being demonized?" Fernandez asked, during her first news conference since taking office in December.

"What is important is that every official, whether the commerce secretary, or any other, works honestly, hard and efficiently."

Fernandez is emerging from a four-month political crisis when farmers protested her tax increase on soy exports. She was forced to ditch the tax and replace key members of her cabinet after her control of Congress eroded and senators rejected the tax.

Fernandez did not speak with reporters during her campaign. Her husband and predecessor, former President Nestor Kirchner, also had a policy of not meeting with the news media. (Reporting by Fiona Ortiz and Cesar Illiano, writing by Simon Gardner; editing by Mohammad Zargham)