Can examiners initiate interview requests with patent practitioners?

Yes, examiners can initiate interview requests with patent practitioners of record. The MPEP encourages this practice to expedite prosecution:

The Office encourages the use of interviews to expedite prosecution. When the examiner believes the progress of the application would be advanced by an interview, the examiner may contact the patent practitioner of record in the application (in accordance with MPEP § 713) and suggest a telephonic, personal, or video conference interview.

This proactive approach by examiners can help clarify issues and potentially speed up the patent application process.