French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has proposed removing two public holidays, among other measures, to boost the nation’s economy as it stands “in mortal danger” of being crushed by debt.

The measure most likely to rankle the French was a proposal to scrap two national holidays: Easter Monday and May 8, which commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe and is often used as a “bridge” by the French to take a four-day weekend in the middle of spring.

French prime minister François Bayrou has called on the French to "work more" and abolish two public holidays, while outlining the 'austerity' budget that will attempt to get a grip on the country's ballooning deficit.