Israeli party representatives will kick off on Monday consultation with President Reuven Rivlin to discuss their recommendations for who should be the next premier following this week’s national elections. The president’s office announced Friday he will consult with the heads of all elected factions, in order of largest to smallest, about their choices. Rivlin, whose role is otherwise ceremonial, then picks the candidate he believes has the best chance of assembling a parliamentary majority, and ask that leader to form a government within 42 days. That candidate looks to be Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The meetings with the parties will be broadcast live on all platforms, to ensure transparency for Israeli citizens," said the presidential statement in English. The talks at the presidents official Jerusalem residence will kick off with Netanyahus Likud party, followed by the Blue and White alliance of his defeated centrist challenger, former military man Benny Gantz. The president must make his decision by April 24 at the latest. The chosen politician then has 28 days to form a government, but can ask for an extension of up to 14 days. A final tally of votes late Thursday showed Netanyahus Likud party capturing 36 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. Together with nationalist and Jewish ultra-Orthodox parties, which Netanyahu calls his "natural allies," his right-wing bloc commands a 65-55 parliamentary majority.