Portugal may be close to becoming the next country with marriage equality for its citizens, according to reports.

Portuguese prime minister José Sócrates campaigned to bring gay marriage to his country, a heavily Catholic nation. Sources tell the BBC that the prime minister, reelected in September, is currently examining how to officially legalize gay marriage under his new government.

According to the report, the new Socialist government may pass gay marriage or civil partnerships into law as soon as January.

The country currently allows "de facto unions," similar to common-law marriages, legally recognizing couples who have lived together for at least two years. Neighboring Spain legalized same-sex marriage in 2005 under President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, with 66% of the public favoring the decision, despite outcry from Roman Catholic leaders.