President Rivlin expected to send letter summoning heads of parties Wednesday evening

President Reuven Rivlin is expected to begin preparations Wednesday to contact the various party leaders and receive their recommendations for Israel's next prime minister. Summons letters are expected to be sent to the party leaders by the president as early as Wednesday evening and party heads will likely make their way to the President's Residence on Sunday - even before the official results will be announced.

According to the law, the president can summon party leaders before the publication of the official results. However, the president cannot officialy request any Knesset member to form the government before the release of the results. President Rivlin reportedly seeks to place the task of forming a government with an MK, likely Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as soon as possible.