A Brazilian federal judge has ruled against unelected President Michel Temer's scheme to privatize the national power company Eletrobras, which is responsible for 69 percent of the country's electricity distribution.

Judge Claudio Kitner reasoned that Temer's proposed privatization represented a direct attack on Brazilian public asset, and that there is no justification of the move because it completely bypassed the congress.  Legislators opposed to privatization have forwarded a legal measure forcing Congress to vote on a bill that would require a public referendum concerning the sale if any measure is taken to privatize.  Between the courts and the legislature, Temer faces at least a one year delay in his plot.

"Politically speaking, we are convinced that the proposed privatization of Eletrobras is rooted in business interests," said Ikaro Chaves of the Urban Services Workers Union of Brasilia.  "Our country currently does not face a domestic electricity crisis that would justify this kind of measure."

The Datafohla company says a poll taken in December found that 70 percent of those asked oppose privatizing state-owned companies.  Critics say private companies will immediately raise power rates, some as much as 17 percent, once they sink their claws into teh grid.