On 17 October 2026 three groupings in Sokolov signed a coalition agreement under which Jan Picka is to become mayor and the winning ANO is to stay in opposition.

Pictured: Sokolov (illustrative image)
Pictured: Sokolov (illustrative image)Photo: Lubor Ferenc, 2016 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In Sokolov, representatives of three groupings signed a coalition agreement on 17 October 2026 after the municipal elections. The coalition consists of Sokolov na plný úvazek (STAN and independents), Hnutí pro město Sokolov (ODS and independents) and Společně pro Sokolov a Volba pro kraj (VOK). Together they hold 17 of the 27 votes in the town council. The winning ANO and SPD will remain in opposition.[1][2][3]

Distribution of posts

The mayor is to be Jan Picka, leader of Společně pro Sokolov a VOK. According to Picka, the coalition will nominate Miroslav Balatka (STAN) as first deputy mayor and Ladislav Sedláček (ODS) as second. All three are to hold their posts as full-time officials, and both deputy mayors will be statutory representatives of the town. The inaugural council meeting is planned for the beginning of November 2026.[1][2][3]

The executive board of the town will have nine members, up from seven so far. Sokolov na plný úvazek will have four board members, Hnutí pro město Sokolov three and Společně pro Sokolov a VOK two.[1][2][3]

Election results and previous leadership

Five groupings entered the council. ANO won eight seats, Sokolov na plný úvazek seven, Hnutí pro město Sokolov six, Společně pro Sokolov a VOK four and SPD two. Until now the town hall was led by a coalition of ANO and Společně pro Sokolov with 15 seats.[1][2][3]

Priorities

Picka named continued negotiations with the heat supplier as the most important task, so that supplies are secured. The second task is to finalise the concession contract for urban public transport, since according to him service is to run under the new contract from 1 January 2029. Further priorities are the modernisation of schools and sports facilities, parking and security.[1][2][3]

Chronology

  • — In Sokolov, representatives of three groupings signed a coalition agreement under which Jan Picka is to become mayor; the coalition will hold 17 of 27 seats on the council, and the winning ANO will be in opposition. ČTK / České noviny Karlovarská Drbna

Sources

  1. ČTK / České noviny
  2. Karlovarská Drbna — 18 October 2026
  3. ČRo Karlovy Vary — 18 October 2026