LIMA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Saturday called on Congress to make early general elections the first topic of the next legislature that begins in March.

"We urge Congress, as soon as the next legislature begins, to make the issue of early elections its number one agenda item," the president said, noting she regretted that Congress didn't discuss the issue during Friday's session but only approved to reopen the debate.

"It is necessary to know how to listen" to people who are demanding early elections, she told the legislators.

Peruvian congress president Jose Williams said it is now up to the legislative Constitution Committee to create a new proposal since there is currently "no bill that can be presented" before the legislature.

The new bid for early elections comes as Congress has yet to reach a consensus on early elections nor advanced the debate on a bill put forward by the president, who in late January called on Congress to move general elections previously scheduled for April 2024 to December 2023.

Political unrest in Peru was sparked on Dec. 7, when Boluarte took office following the ouster of her predecessor Pedro Castillo. The protesters demand early elections and Castillo's release from custody.