"I decided to stand with a team that has maintained peace in the country, and I am confident that Georgian Dream will be the team to advance into Europe with pride and dignity," said Olympic champion weightlifter Lasha Talakhadze, who joined Georgian Dream and is ranked seventh on their election list.
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According to Talakhadze, his main goal is for Georgia to become a member of the European Union. When asked by a journalist about his views on the Russian law, he stated that he believes it is necessary.
"As for the law on transparency, I think it is necessary; nothing should be hidden in society. Everything should be public and open," said the athlete.
Lasha Talakhadze noted that it has not yet been determined what role he will play in parliament, although his primary goal is to support young people and Georgian sports.
Despite thousands of protests and international criticism, Georgian Dream's parliamentary majority, with the support of 84 deputies, overrode the president's veto on May 28 and adopted the Russian law restricting independent media and non-governmental organizations. As a result, the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union was halted.
The 30-year-old Lasha Talakhadze is a three-time Olympic champion, seven-time world champion, and seven-time European champion. He also holds world records in the deadlift (225 kg), clean and jerk (267 kg), and total (492 kg). He achieved his latest success at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where he won the title of three-time Olympic champion on August 11.
