I believe that Gaara...

[RinneBlitz]

...became Kazekage shortly after Part 1 was over. I mean, the time-skip between Part 1 and Part 2 was two-and-a-half years, so I highly doubt that Sunagakure was without Kazekage for such a big period. Probably Gaara was appointed Kazekage because of his powers, and because the villagers saw the change he made after the battle with Naruto. What are your thoughts?

 

[ankitpsaraogi]

Nice Theory Bro!!

 

[FemmeFatale]

The sand is the weakest Nation, and Gaara and Tamari are probably the strongest alive. So it had to be either him or her.

 

[RinneBlitz]

The sand is the weakest Nation, and Gaara and Tamari are probably the strongest alive. So it had to be either him or her.

Kankuro? Chiyo? There are many characters that could've been appointed Kazekage. Even Baki. It's not because they were the only ones...

 

[Child Of The Great Empire]

I think they were afraid he'll go crazy if they don't choose him.

 

[Awkward Linguist]

They felt sorry for him, that's why the appointed him kage.

 

[PTran5]

I think they were afraid he'll go crazy if they don't choose him.

1. Gaara never dreamt of wanting to become a Kazekage, so I don't see why he would go crazy if he wasn't chosen as one.
2. Did you not see his character transformation after he fought Naruto? How he changed from a sinister monster to a wise and respected shinobi? He never once went crazy again after that incident.

They felt sorry for him, that's why the appointed him kage.

Sunagakure was in a crisis at that time and needed a new Kazekage to help stabilise the village. They won't choose one on the basis of sympathy alone. Yes they felt sorry for him, but seriously that is a ridiculous reason to promote someone to the highest status of Sunagakure. Honestly, I felt it was a little bit weird for an inexperience boy to take such a huge leadership role. However, my perspective of that changed when Gaara gave away his life to save his people from Deidara's invasion - the very people who once hated him. That act of valor just conveys the huge change of heart he has undertaken.

OT: Yeah; I agree. Gaara was probably given the position shortly after the time-skip.

 

[Shadow Phantasm]

Gaara was to be next in line for Kazekage anyway since his father was one and he was strong enough to protect the village.Suna probaly promoted him a year before Shippuden starts.

 

[paratise]

They probably wanted to keep an eye on him aswell.