Spain's Constitutional Court is
expected to rule on the nation's 2005 gay marriage law.
The Madrid-based El Pais reported
that the 11-member court will meet on Tuesday and is expected to vote
on an appeal filed by the conservative Popular Party (PP).
The PP filed the legal challenge to the
law soon after Socialists approved it seven years ago. The PP
returned to power in elections held late last year.
The court has postponed its ruling
several times and its makeup changed slightly after conservatives
returned to power. However, most analysts believe the court's
progressive majority will uphold the law.
PP leaders have said that the
government would abide by the Constitutional Court's ruling on the
law.
Nearly 20,000 gay and lesbian couples
have married since such unions became legal in Spain.
Spain was the third country behind the
Netherlands and Belgium to legalize gay nuptials. Canada followed
suit 17 days later.
(Related: Spain's
Jose Zapatero says he's proudest of gay marriage on his way out.)