in october 2009, the newly re-elected josé sócrates made an assurance that the socialist party would move ahead with its campaign promise of same-sex marriage. the proposition received strong support from the left bloc, with its parliamentary leader presenting a proposed amendment to the family code which would make the definition of marriage gender-neutral. in mid-october 2009, jorge lacão said it was likely that same-sex marriage would be legalised in early 2010.