Appearing on public television ahead of the presentation of France's 2013 budget on Friday, Ayrault said the 0.8 percent growth figure was "realistic" and "attainable" despite concerns from some economists that the forecast is too optimistic.

Asked about the deficit, Ayrault said it was vital to meet the target if France wants to keep its borrowing rates low and avoid the rising rates that have hit other eurozone countries such as Spain and Italy.

"If we abandon this goal, right away the rates will rise and then we will be in the same situation as Italy, in the same situation as Spain, and I do not want that," he said.

"We cannot continue with the debt and deficits that we have," he said.

President Francois Hollande's government will present its first annual budget Friday since the Socialist defeated incumbent right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy in May.

Officials have said about 30 billion euros ($39 billion) in savings are needed to reach the deficit target, with two-thirds coming from tax rises on the rich and businesses and a third from spending cuts.