BRUSSELS, March 16 (Reuters) - The European Union's aid and development chief said on Friday he will take a month off work in an unpaid leave of absence to campaign for his party ahead of Belgium's June 10 parliamentary elections.

"I think its important to take action for these elections which are vital for the future of the country," Louis Michel, who oversees the EU's multibillion-euro aid programmes for developing countries, told national television station RTL.

Michel is a senior member of Belgium's centre-right Reform Movement (MR) party which is part of the ruling coalition.

He said he would maintain his post in the EU's executive Commission until his term expires in 2009 "unless we have elections and my country needs me."

A commission spokeswoman said Michel's actions were in line with the code of conduct concerning national elections.

He will be running for a seat in Senate, but his position at the bottom of MR's list of candidates for the upper house means he is certain not be elected, allowing him to return to the Commission.

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