French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said on Saturday he was considering proposing a national referendum over the country's budget, given concerns that big cost-cutting plans could result in widespread protests.

"I think the subject is so serious, and it carries such major consequences for the future of the country, that it should be put directly to our citizens. Therefore, I am not ruling out any option," Bayrou told the Journal du Dimanche paper in an interview published on Saturday.